Living in the Greek Isles: A Stay on Poros

Depart on an overnight flight to Athens, where you’ll be met by your Smithsonian Journeys resident director upon arrival. Transfer via private coach to your hotel in the city center, where you’ll have free time to get settled. Your Smithsonian Journeys resident director will be available throughout the program for suggestions regarding tours, restaurants and independent activities. Tonight, kick off your Greek sojourn with a festive welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant. (D)

Each day of your journey begins with a buffet breakfast.

From architecture and music to law and medicine, western civilization can trace its roots to Athens, the stomping ground of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Begin your discovery of the city with a short tour, viewing neoclassical buildings like Athens University and the National Library. Then ascend to the breathtaking Acropolis, a sanctuary to Athena—the goddess of wisdom and the city’s namesake. Perched on a rocky hill some 500 feet above the city, the Acropolis was completed in the fifth century BC and is now a World Heritage site. Tour the complex, including the iconic Parthenon, then gain further insight into the site at the Acropolis Museum. Here, examine treasures of art and history found on the surrounding slopes that span the millennia from the Bronze Age to Byzantine Greece. Try local specialties over lunch at a nearby restaurant, then the rest of the day is yours to discover Athens as you wish. (B,L)

This morning, depart by hydrofoil to the island of Poros, your home for the next 18 nights. Set in the Saronic Gulf, just across a narrow strait from the mainland of the Peloponnese, Poros is actually two contiguous islands separated by a canal. While the main town is on the smaller of the islands, your aparthotel is on the shores of the beautiful and less populated larger island of Kalavria—an easy walk from the center of town. Enjoy lunch together before checking in. After time to settle in, meet up for a guided walk to get oriented, strolling past the whitewashed houses and bustling waterfront shops of Poros Town. Gather tonight for a festive welcome at the hotel, followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant. (B,L,R,D)

Begin the day with a lecture on Classical Greece by a local expert that examines the profound influence of ancient Greece on the western world and how Greek philosophy, science and literature led Europe out of the Dark Ages and into the Renaissance. For lunch, head to a popular taverna and hear from the owners about life on Poros. You’ll have the remainder of the day to explore the picturesque harbor and charming streets of Poros Town. If you wish, climb to the iconic Clock Tower for expansive views of the Saronic Gulf and the extinct volcanoes that surround Poros. (B,L)

Set out for on a day trip to the World Heritage site of ancient Mycenae, a major center of Greek civilization during the second millennium BC. A military stronghold, Mycenae was the seat of Agamemnon’s kingdom and dominated much of southern Greece, Crete, the Cyclades and even parts of southwest Anatolia. On a guided tour of the site, gain insight into life and legend in this ancient fortified city, stepping through the majestic Lion’s Gate and hearing tales first told by Homer. After your tour, stop at a local winery for a wine tasting and lunch. Return to Poros, where the rest of the day is at leisure. (B,L)

Enjoy a morning at leisure, or, if you have chosen the Culinary Traditions track, venture to the mainland this morning for a unique opportunity to experience the country’s rich olive oil culture. Visit an olive mill to learn about the olive oil production process, from growing and harvesting olives to pressing them to extract the oil. Then sit down to lunch at a taverna in the town of Galatas.

In the afternoon, experience Poros from a different vantage point: by boat. A scenic boat ride will take you around the island and the neighboring regions, offering views of stunning spots such as Russian Bay, Love Bay, and the dramatic rocky coasts of the uninhabited island of Daskaio. Your evening is at leisure. (B, L-Culinary Traditions track only)

• Optional Culinary Traditions Track 1.1: Olive mill visit and taverna lunch

Attend a morning presentation on Greek history, learning about the critical periods and people who formed the foundation for the modern-day republic: the reign of Alexander the Great, the founding of Constantinople, Ottoman occupation, and democracy—a concept born in Greece 2.5 millennia ago. Savor Greek specialties during lunch at a local restaurant, and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to discover the island as you wish, perhaps with a visit to one of its picturesque beaches. (B,L)

Today is yours to immerse yourself in the daily life in Poros. You might meet new friends for a lunch al fresco, relax with a book on a beach, or take a walk through a village or landscape you haven't visited yet.

For those who selected the Active Discovery track, this morning is your first adventure. Starting in the Askeli area on the main island of Kalavria, hike a loop trail through scenic pine forests and olive groves, taking in views of the ancient harbor of Poros. Your hike culminates at the Temple of Poseidon, a sanctuary steeped with legend that was built in the fifth century BC. Gather in the evening for dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

• Hike: About 3.5 miles through mostly flat paths and fields with about 300 ft in elevation gain, returning by the same path. 
• Optional Active Discovery Track 2.1: Temple of Poseidon hike

A morning cruise brings you to Hydra, an island with a stunning horseshoe-shaped harbor where the main modes of transportation are by foot or by donkey, as cars are not allowed. Separated from the Peloponnese by a narrow strip of water, Hydra was a popular hub of seafarers and merchants, who built beautiful mansions along the seaside. It later became a haven of writers and artists and then a stylish resort in the mid 20th century. Explore the island, stopping in at its churches and monasteries and strolling along the waterfront past cafés and shops. Return to Poros where you’ll have the remainder of the day at leisure. (B)

Participants in the Culinary Traditions track will depart for a morning visit to a lemon grove and then on to a local factory where lemons are processed. On a tour of the facility, learn about the cultivation of this staple ingredient in Greek cuisine and discover the myriad products that are derived from the fruit.

If you have chosen the Arts & Crafts track, meet up for an introduction to the basics of weaving, learning how common household items and materials can be upcycled into art.

Enjoy dinner tonight at a lively local restaurant. (B,D)

• Optional Culinary Traditions Track 1.2: Lemon grove and lemon factory tour
• Optional Arts & Craft Track 3.1: The basics of weaving

The morning begins with a presentation by a local expert on the arts in Greece, and specifically in the Saronic Gulf region. The artists of Poros and the Saronic Islands draw on the culture, character, and beliefs of local people, carrying on the torch of their ancestors and forming a bridge to ancient artists.

After the presentation, the day is yours to explore or relax. You may wish to do as the locals do: stroll around the bay and socialize over a meal with friends. (B)

Those who chose the Active Discovery track will head out today on a guided adventure by e-bike, exploring the more far-flung corners of Poros. Pedal your electric bike through lovely island landscapes with the ease, gaining a unique and more intimate view of Kalavria and its history and mythology. (B)

• Optional Active Discovery Track 2.2: Poros Island tour by e-bike

After breakfast depart for the World Heritage site of Epidaurus, home to remarkably preserved ancient theater famous for its exceptional acoustics. The ancient city was also the birthplace of modern medicine, serving as one of the most important therapeutic centers of the classical world. Explore the theater and the Sanctuary of Asclepius, along with other important ruins, and pause for lunch along the way. Your day trip continues in coastal Nafplio, situated on a rocky peninsula that juts into the Argolic Gulf. Founded in antiquity, the city became an important seaport in the Middle Ages and briefly served as the capital of the Kingdom of Greece in the early 1800s. Meander its maze of winding lanes and admire the prominent profile of Palamidi Citadel, which zigzags across a hilltop ridge high above town. Return to Poros for the remainder of the day and evening at leisure. (B,L)

If you chose the Arts & Crafts track, gather in the hotel’s penthouse to participate in a painting class led by a local artist. For those not participating in the track, the day is free for independent pursuits. (B)

• Optional Arts & Craft Track 3.2: Artist-led painting class

During a morning presentation on contemporary Greece, learn about ancient customs, traditions and ceremonies that are reflected in modern Athenian lifestyles and attitudes toward family and personal honor. Continue the conversation over lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon is yours to spend as you please: visit the archaeological or folkloric museum in town, go for a hike on a scenic trail, or rent a bike or a scooter to get to some of the island’s secluded beaches. (B,L)

Those who opted for the Active Discovery track will set out this morning for Methana, a volcanic peninsula scattered with hot springs that have been used for millennia for their therapeutic qualities. Hike through fields and up to the dormant volcano’s summit to take in the views, then follow the coast to the naturally carbonated Pausanias Baths where you will have the opportunity to take a refreshing plunge. In the village of Vathy, you’ll have free time for lunch before driving back to Poros. 

Hike: 3 miles total through mostly flat paths and fields, culminating in a somewhat steep final ascent to the volcano crater then with a mostly gentle descent following. The path to the crater can be rocky and uneven so good hiking or walking shoes will be essential.

If you opted for the Culinary Traditions track, gather for an afternoon cooking class, learning the skills and secrets of Greek cuisine. Prepare a delectable meal of traditional dishes together and spend the evening eating, drinking, and enjoying your creations!

If you are not taking either track, the day is free of planned activities. (B, D-Culinary Traditional track only)

• Optional Active Discovery Track 2.3: Methana volcano and hot springs hike
• Optional Culinary Traditions Track 1.3: Greek cooking class

Take the ferry just across the channel from Poros to Galatas, a large and tranquil coastal village located on the Peloponnese. Take a walking tour of town before time at leisure to explore on your own and grab lunch at one of the many cafes and tavernas. Travel back to Poros by ferry in the afternoon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

Travel to Sparta, a lively city that was once one of the most powerful city-states in the classical world. Founded in the ninth century BC, Sparta was known for its culture of austerity and its dedication to military prowess, defeating the Persians and the Athenians in a number of historic battles. Just outside the city lies the World Heritage site of Mystras, where the picturesque ruins of a Byzantine castle town climb up the slopes of Taygetos Mountain. Discover its many Byzantine churches and stunning architecture that ranges from the unique “Helladic” school to the style of Constantinople. Return to Poros for a free afternoon and evening. (B)

After a leisurely morning, take a ferry to the small island of Spetses, once a naval power thanks to its strategic location on major shipping routes. You’ll have time on your own to wander the cobbled lanes of the charming old harbor, gaining insight into the island’s history and discovering whitewashed cottages and fragrant gardens brimming with jasmine and bougainvillea. Return to Poros and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B)

For those who selected the Arts & Crafts track, take a photo that best represents your time on Poros and with help from your instructor create a special woven frame to capture the memory. Participants will practice weaving on a frame loom and take their finished creation home after the workshop.

Savor your final afternoon on Poros taking in the scenic sea and forest views and returning to your favorite spots on the island. Celebrate your Greek sojourn with fellow travelers during a special farewell reception and dinner featuring live music and Greek dancing. (B,R,D)

• Optional Arts & Craft Track 3.3: Weaving on a frame

Bid farewell to Poros and drive along the coast toward Athens, stopping to visit Corinth, an ancient city-state inhabited since the Neolithic era that rose to power in the eighth century BC through its control of the isthmus between mainland Greece and the Peloponnese. On a visit to the ancient town, destroyed during the Roman invasion but rebuilt by Julius Caesar, and see its majestic Temple of Apollo.  Continue across the famously narrow Corinth Canal, which splits the Peloponnesian peninsula from mainland Greece, and stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Arrive in Athens in the afternoon and enjoy your final evening at leisure. (B,L)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)